Yet again the Executive is in crisis - Ford

9.35.00pm GMT Mon 26th Nov 2007

Alliance Leader David Ford MLA

Alliance Leader David Ford has stated that the Executive is yet again in crisis after the Ulster Unionists and SDLP backed another Alliance amendment, this time criticizing the Programme for Government. Last week Alliance was backed by the SDLP and UUP in voting against the Legislative Programme for being too weak and ignoring many important challenges.

David Ford MLA said: "Following this evening's heated discussion of the Programme for Government and last week's equally damaging debate on the Legislative Programme, the Executive yet again lies in crisis. This is the second time in a week that the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP have voted against their Executive colleagues. The PfG is a massive missed opportunity and the public are now seeing how directionless the Executive is.

"The level of support for our Alliance amendment tonight indicates the growing unrest within this Executive and underlines how poor their plans are. This Programme for Government has neither quantity nor quality.

"The DUP and Sinn Fein must sit up and take notice of the groundswell of opinion against their plans. These two parties are clearly rattled by today's proceedings given the lack of composure shown by some of their MLAs in their response to comments from Alliance representatives.

"The split within the Executive has widened tonight. The real question is how long can the Executive ignore people's mounting concerns about their ability to govern Northern Ireland."

ENDS